Despite a year of ups and downs for everyone, Edinburgh Jam Group brought the last few months of the year to a close in style with a spread of special events and our robust calendar of open jam sessions!
The charity has grown strength to strength throughout this time and we’re proud to have launched our partnership with Carter Skillicorn Drumming Tuition (www.carterdrums.com) in addition to completing training sessions of our own; on recording, sound engineering and several workshop events, as part of our ongoing mission to aid the local community.
We have provided the space, equipment and support for bands to practice, and record their EP’s and Albums, and have continued to invest the charities funds in new studio kit and venue bookings for our showcase events, to keep EJG at the forefront of the studios in the area.
The support we have received from those within and outwith the Edinburgh & Lothians music community has been boundless and heart-warming, and without it we could not keep doing what we do as a music collective – our sincerest thanks to all for this.
September – Cars, Coffee, Lights and Music with RD Motorsport, Forth Coffee and Edinburgh Jam Group
In September, the charity teamed up with @R_D Motorsport and @ForthCoffee and setup an outdoor open jam event in the carpark, complete with outdoor furniture, lighting and a projector screen cast against the side of “Ivor The Jam Van”.
With fire braziers blazing, keeping our jammers nice and toasty, we were treated to some awesome freshly roasted coffee from Forth and a display of over 30 high performance cars whilst the music flowed into the wee hours on our outdoor stage area.
A brilliant night of colour, light and music and many new friends made! Such a success was the night that our partners are looking into something of this type on an even bigger scale once the warmer nights come in.
October – Leith Arches Open Mic/Open Band
Leith Arches, having burst onto the Edinburgh venue scene with their lovely new venue in Leith, fully equipped for parties, drinks and good time vibes, teamed up with Edinburgh Jam Group for an Open Mic/Open Band event in October.
With a packed room almost from the very start and a determined flow of brilliant and willing musicians filling this awesome space with great music, the night turned out to be a huge success for all involved. We cant wait to return to this venue and do the same again, with as many participants as possible getting that all-too-precious performance experience and stage time. We are in contact with Leith Arches at the moment and are working to secure some dates over the next few weeks for more of these events.
November – Outhouse
With the dark nights drawing in (to coin a phrase!), what better way to brighten things up on the run up to Christmas than a bold and exciting band showcase/open band event at the excellent and stylish @OuthouseEdinburgh in the East End.
With cool funky lighting and an awesome mix of local talent keeping the dancefloor busy all night including Sol, The Alan Timpson Band and Music of The Ferns (video below), we can safely say that the photos/videos do not do this one justice!!!
This was not our first event with The Outhouse and will surely not be our last. We’ll be announcing a new date in the coming months.
December – Christmas Party
As the year came to a close and letters were being feverishly written to Santa for all manner of new toys, from guitar capos, to new guitars, to an indestructible keyboard stand, Edinburgh Jam Group started planning for its big annual Christmas Party.
The Edinburgh Jam Group Christmas Party has become a much anticipated fixture in the yearly jam calendar, and we are proud to say that 2021 did not disappoint! Our studio in Newbridge rung out to the sound of awesome music from some great local musicians and an absolutely memorable time was had by all. Santa would be proud.
Final Thoughts…
All of these events took place against the steady beat of our rolling open jam calendar which runs throughout the weeks and months, and we feel proud of the impact and success these have had in bringing together musicians from all walks of life and abilities in their shared passion for the craft of music-making.
In addition to meeting new friends and contacts who share in this passion and can assist in the journey, the open jams are the best place to hone those music skills and are essential for building confidence and capability for new musicians and developing and enhancing the craft for the more experienced musicians. They are a melting pot of music which benefit everyone through playing together.
Our plans for 2022 include a wide variety of special events, training sessions, the Kids Club, supporting bands and artists with their recording and performance ambitions, and much more…
Our well equipped and comfortable studio is open in 2022 for band practices, recordings, lives streams and podcasts and can be booked easily from our website www.edinburghjamgroup.com.
Edinburgh Jam Group is a large collective of local musicians and artists, formed into a charity, which is run and owned jointly by all of us. Therefore, we want your opinions, feedback and ideas on how and what we should be doing in 2022 to make the biggest and most positive possible impact for the local community – message us through our Facebook or Instagram, call us or drop in and see us at one of our open jams or events.
Lastly, wishing you all a happy and prosperous new year, we look forward to seeing all the familiar faces and all the new ones we are yet to meet and making some brilliant music together!!!